Encompassing over 90,000 acres of the Colorado Plateau, Monument Valley straddles the the Utah-Arizona border. This area is sacred to the Navajo Nation. In the Navajo language, Monument Valley is called “Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii” which translates to “the valley of rocks”. This area is truly that, a stunning valley of iconic sandstone formations that give off a sense of otherworldliness. Join our adventure travel family as we explore this beautiful sacred terrain. We break down the top things to do in Monument Valley so you can make the most of your visit. Join our family adventure!
You Don't Want to Miss This Guided Tour!
The Best Guided Tour of Monument Valley!
What is Monument Valley?
Millions of years ago, sediments and sandstone were deposited in a low basin. This was followed by a period of tectonic uplift, where the sandstone was raised up creating a plateau. Wind, water, and ice eroded away the softer sediments, leaving the harder sandstone formations.
Monument Valley has huge red sandstone buttes that are featured in numerous western movies. For example, the road leading into the valley is nicknamed Forest Gump Point. You may recall seeing this location featured in the movie as the long road where Forest decided he was done running. The scenery was also used a zillion other movies, like Stagecoach, Billy the Kid, Easy Rider, Indiana Jones, and The Lone Ranger. It has also inspired numerous animated shows, like the rugged desert scenery from the Coyote and Road Runner cartoons. And Cars used a spoof of Monument Valley called “Ornament Valley”.
Geology 101
Understanding these three basic geology principals will help to give you a greater appreciation of the amazing formations in Monument Valley.
Mesa
Mesas are the first level of erosion. Basically a rock formation that looks like a table.
Butte
Buttes are the second level of erosion. An isolated hill, smaller than a mesa, often with vertical sides and a flat top.
Spire
Spire are the final stage of erosion. A thin free-standing column of rock.
Getting Here
Monument Valley sits on the Arizona and Utah boarder within the Navajo Nation. Without an exact address and consistent cell signal, it was challenging to know that we were going the right way. Although, navigating the constantly changing time zones was probably the biggest challenge of the morning. We weaved through MST in Arizona, to MDT while in Navajo Nation, back to MST and then to MDT again. Luckily, we managed to arrive on time and boarded our open-air pickup for an amazing adventure! This is the guided tour we took of Monument Valley. We had a fantastic time and highly recommend this tour!
| Monument Valley Vehicle Tour Information Booth Address (where many tours depart from) | 100 Main Monument Valley Rd, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536 |
| Entrance Cost | $8 per person per day |
| Hours | Vary by season |
| Cell Service | Limited |
Disclaimer: Always check the site’s website before visiting.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Pass Through Sentinel Mesa
When you drive down the road towards the Information Center and Visitor Center, you are immediately begin seeing glimpses of the towering mesas and buttes. The first formation you see when arrive is the long edge of Sentinel Mesa. It is considered by the Navajo as one of the “door posts” to Monument Valley.
You can also catch a glimpse of the side of Big Chief Butte, which neighbors Sentinel Mesa to the left.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
View the Iconic Western Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, and Merrick Butte
You cannot visit Monument Valley and not see the three most iconic Monument Valley formations! Western Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, and Merrick Butte can be viewed from the Visitor Center and the Scenic Drive.
The West Mitten Butte and East Mitten Butte look like hands. They are said to signify spiritual beings watching over the valley.
Merrick Butte gains it name from an ex-Calvary soldier who prospected silver in the valley.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Take the Scenic Drive Loop to View Elephant Butte, Camel Butte, Rain God Mesa and Three Sisters
After viewing the three iconic buttes along the Scenic Drive Loop, you continue around a bend. This is Elephant Butte. At first I couldn’t see it, but when viewed from the front it really does look like an elephant!
Then there was Camel Butte, which does kind of look like a camel sitting and facing the west.
The large mesa behind Camel Butte is Rain God Mesa. Navajo medicine men pray and give thanks to the Rain God, who stored water for the people. Dark streaks are visible on the south side of the mesa. This is from the natural aquifer that seeps out at the base of the sandstone.
As you turn towards John Ford’s Point, you will see Three Sisters. Three Sisters is located at the southeast point of Mitchell Mesa. Mitchell Mesa is another formation named after ex-Calvary soldier who prospected silver in the valley. The Three Sisters are said to look like a nun facing her 2 pupils.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Pause and Explore John Ford’s Point
Make sure to stop and get out at John Ford’s Point. This is a popular vantage point named after director John Ford. He shot nine movies in Monument Valley. The ledge here is the location of the iconic John Wayne old western photos.
There is always a cowboy here with his horse. If you tip him, he will ride his horse out to the point. For an extra tip you can pose on the horse and replicate the iconic photo yourself. The girls loved doing this!!
John Ford’s Point also had some little shops and great views.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Visit A Traditional Navajo Hogan
You can drive your own vehicle through the Scenic Drive Loop. But only Navajo guides are permitted to take guests into the back country. Our guided tour included a visit to a traditional Navajo hogan!
A traditional hogan is made out of local juniper and mud. This keeps it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It was amazingly cool inside! We were met with a Navajo woman who lives on the property. She demonstrated how the women prepare wool by hand and spin it into yarn to weave Navajo clothing and blankets.
There were 3 other hogans on the property that are used by the family. There is a separate one for the men, one for the women, and then a smaller one used for ceremonies.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Traditional Hair Tying Ceremony
The Navajo woman spoke to us about Navajo traditions. She explained to Buttercup’s that long hair signifies the root of thought. She ask to perform a traditional hair tying for her. As part of the ceremony, she created a tsiiyéél (a traditional Navajo bun tied with yarn).
She started by brushing her hair with a be’ezo (long dried stiff grass that grows nearby).
Then she secured it back with one end of the yarn.
And folded her hair up.
She then wrapped the long end around the folded hair.
She ended by quietly speaking a Navajo blessing over Buttercup’s head.
Of course Spider Monkey had her turn next. This super cool experience was included in our guided tour.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Drive through the Back Country to View Totem Pole and Navajo Fire Dancers
As you continue towards the backcountry, you see the Totem Pole (or as the Navajo call it “ET’s Finger”). Totem Pole was a butte, but after millions of years of erosion, a single spire is left. This is the rock formation Clint Eastwood stood atop during the making of “The Eiger Sanction.” It’s also been featured in various TV ads and commercials.
You also the Navajo Fire Dancers (or as the Navajo called it “Yei Bi Chei”). These northern pinnacles are named for their resemblance to dancers who emerge from a hogan during the final night of a winter religious ceremony.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Drive through the Back Country to View Thunderbird Mesa and Its Arches
The large mesa to your right is Thunderbird Mesa. Thunderbird Mesa gets its name from the outline of a thunderbird on its east side.
As you round Thunderbird Mesa, you stop at various points to view the amazing arches. First up is Moccasin Arch, a large pothole natural arch eroded in the sandstone.
Close to Moccasin Arch is Big Hogan another arch that creates a large natural amphitheater. In the winter of 2012, a portion of the arch fell from the roof, creating a spot light in the top.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Study the Petroglyphs and Listen to Navajo Stories
Another favorite stop of mine was Sun’s Eye, a pothole arch. The arch was cool, but there are some amazing petroglyphs here. This is the closest we ever were to petroglyphs so the girls could clearly see them and we could all appreciate the detail.
Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by pecking directly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and a hammer stone. The desert varnish (or patina) on the surface of the rock is chipped off. This exposes the lighter rock underneath, creating the petroglyph.
The petroglyphs here are from the Anasazi culture. The Anasazi were a Native American culture that spanned the present-day Four Corners region from about AD 100 to 1600.
Our guide told us stories about camping here and being awoken by beings that disappeared into the “doorway” looking section.
Top Things to do in Monument Valley:
Junior Ranger Program
Don’t forget to visit the information center and grab a Monument Valley Junior Ranger book!
The Family Verdict
Our guided tour was amazing! I highly recommend it!! We were blessed to have taken part in the traditional hair tying and shared in a piece of Navajo traditions. These are the memories our family will forever carry with us.
It is easy to understand why Monument Valley is a sacred place to the Navajo. There is a feeling you get when standing amongst the “valley of rocks.” You realize that millions of years went into creating the natural wonders that stand before you. These treasures in the American Southwest are true marvels of natural creation and simply cannot be missed.
Make sure to check out our adventures in nearby Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Mesa Verde National Park. Also, follow along on our road trip through the American Southwest!
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
You Don't Want to Miss This Guided Tour!
The Best Guided Tour of Monument Valley!
Recommended Supplies
Don’t miss out on these recommended supplies for your family adventure!
For Packing:
For the Airport / Airplane:
Basics:
Outdoors:
- Pocket Binoculars
- Travel Umbrella
- Adult Hiking Hydration Backpack
- Kid’s Hiking Hydration Backpack
- Water Bladder Cleaning Tablets
- Microfiber Towels
- Women’s All Around Jacket
- Women’s Water-Resistant Hiking Pants, These and These
- Women’s Quick Dry Pants and These
- Women’s Quick Dry Shirts
- Women’s Long Sleeve UV Rash Guard
- Women’s Hiking Socks
- Women’s Rain Jacket
- Kid’s Quick Dry Pants
- Kid’s Quick Dry Shorts
- Kid’s Quick Dry Shirts
- Kid’s Long Sleeve UV Rash Guard
- Kid’s Hiking Socks and These
- Kids Rain Jacket
- Kid’s Rain Pants
- Foldable Kid’s Hat
- Men’s Rain Jacket
